Remarks. Branchiomma bairdi is distinguished from other congeners by the presence of strap-like and long macrostylodes (up to four times the length of the neighbouring digitiform stylodes, not so large in small specimens), and the colour pattern, with olive-green bodies and conspicuous bright orange spots alternating with radiolar eyes. This species was originally described from the Caribbean but has recently been reported is other biogeographical areas as an invasive species (Tovar-Hernández et al. 2009, 2012; Arias et al. 2013; Capa et al. 2013; Capa 2014). First record from Lizard Island.

Habitat. Associated with a variety of shallow water environments, ranging from fine sediments to hard substrates, including ship hulls, pylons, and other man-made surfaces.